Award:  $500
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Any major at SOTA:  Applicant must be entering a college, university or institute to study the arts (drama, dance, music or vocal arts, performing arts, visual arts, creative writing, technical arts).  Minimum GPA=2.5

Scholarship Description:  Established in June 2008 as a standing committee within the Friends of School of the Arts Board, the Alumni Committee is a group of professional alumni who are committed to SOTA students past and present.  Our goal is to heighten awareness within the Rochester community and beyond of the achievements, humanitarian acts, and current endeavors of SOTA Alumni.  We want to serve as mentors and role models for the existing student body.

The Friends of SOTA Alumni Committee has established a scholarship fund to support students continuing their arts education post high school. This fund will recognize and provide financial support to School of the Arts graduates pursuing post-secondary education in the arts.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)

Award:  $500
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Any major at SOTA, any field of study (including gap year programs):  SOTA student demonstrating commitment toward achieving a strongly held personal goal or dream.

Scholarship Description:  This award was established in 2016 as a way of recognizing SOTA students who demonstrate commitment in pursuit of a strongly held personal goal or dream.  Financial need is not required, but students with financial need may receive preference.  We are looking for a student who strives for success, who learns from failure, and whose personal passions, work ethic, and extra-curricular activities demonstrate a personal commitment to achieving his or her dreams.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)

Award: $500
Number of Awards Granted: 1

Eligibility:  Any major at SOTA, any field of study in college or further education program:  SOTA student demonstrating academic excellence (GPA 3.75 or higher) and commitment to learning.  Minimum GPA=3.75

Scholarship Description:  The Academic Excellence award was initiated in 2015 as a way to recognize SOTA students who exemplify the SOTA Mission of Academic Success.   This award is open to SOTA seniors whose in-school performance and extra-curricular activities demonstrate a sustained passion for learning, a consistent challenging of themselves with course selection, and strong overall weighted GPA.   .

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)

Award:  $500
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Any major at SOTA:  Applicant must be entering a college, university or institute to study the arts (drama, dance, music or vocal arts, performing arts, visual arts, creative writing, technical arts).  Minimum GPA=2.5

Scholarship Description:  Established in June 2008 as a standing committee within the Friends of School of the Arts Board, the Alumni Committee is a group of professional alumni who are committed to SOTA students past and present.  Our goal is to heighten awareness within the Rochester community and beyond of the achievements, humanitarian acts, and current endeavors of SOTA Alumni.  We want to serve as mentors and role models for the existing student body.

The Friends of SOTA Alumni Committee has established a scholarship fund to support students continuing their arts education post high school. This fund will recognize and provide financial support to School of the Arts graduates pursuing post-secondary education in the arts.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)

Award:  $500
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Any major at SOTA, any field of study in college or further education program:  SOTA student demonstrating strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service.  Minimum GPA=2.5

Scholarship Description:  This award was initiated in 2015 as a way to recognize SOTA students who exemplify the SOTA mission of humanistic success.  These awards are open to SOTA students whose in-school performance and extra-curricular activities demonstrate a dedication to leadership and community service.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)

Award:  $2500 in total, divided over four years
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Applicant must be entering a college or university to study the performing arts (music/vocals, dance, drama, theatre technology) with a goal to pursue a career in the performing arts.  Applicant must demonstrate financial need.  Minimum GPA=2.5

Scholarship Description:  This scholarship fund was endowed to Friends of School of the Arts by Roberta (Bobbie) Allen, the daughter of Grace & Bud Allen, and Betsy A. Wilson, granddaughter of Grace & Bud Allen, in January of 2012. The fund will provide scholarships to needy and talented SOTA students entering college to study the performing arts (music/vocals, dance, drama, or theatre technology).   This follows in Bud & Grace Allen’s tradition of supporting high school students with financial need who excel in the performing arts.

The amount of the scholarship award is $2500, which will be paid as $1000 in the first year plus 3 payments of $500 at the start of each additional academic year.  Proof of continued enrollment and academic success (maintaining a minimum college GPA of 2.5) will be required to obtain all 4 payments.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)
• TWO letters of recommendation, one from a SOTA arts teacher and one from your counselor.  You may submit additional recommendation letters from others who are familiar with your artistic achievement.
• Financial aid award letter and/or tuition bill.
• Please answer these questions:
  • How has SOTA shaped your decision to pursue a career in the arts
  • Where would you like to be in 5 years?
  • How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals?
  • How can you give back to the SOTA community once you become an arts professional?

Award:  $500
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  SOTA dance students with financial need who excel in dance and will continue to study dance in college.  Minimum GPA=2.5

Scholarship Description:  This scholarship fund was established to support high school students with financial need who excel in dance and will continue to study dance in college.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)
• TWO letters of recommendation, one from a SOTA art teacher and one from your counselor.  You may submit additional recommendation letters from others who are familiar with your artistic achievement.
• Financial aid award letter and/or tuition bill.
• Please answer these questions for the selection committee (submissions must be typed):
  • How has SOTA shaped your decision to pursue a career in dance?
  • Where would you like to be in 5 years?
  • How will this scholarship help you achieve your goals?
  • How can you give back to the SOTA community once you become an arts professional?

Award:  $1500 +Mentoring
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility: 

• Demonstrated academic promise
• A grade point average of 2.5 with at least 3 letters of recommendation from school staff (one of which may be from a community member that they have worked with or for).
• Or a grade point average of 3.0 with at least 2 letters of recommendation from school staff (one of which may be from a community member that they have worked with or for).
• Applicants with financial need will be considered.
• Subsequent field of study in one of the following: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Mathematics), education or human services.

Scholarship Description:  Established in late 2021 by class of 1994 alumna, Dr. Sharitta F. Gross, The Change Agent scholarship will annually assist two SOTA seniors from underrepresented populations in their pursuit of post-secondary education in STEAM, education, or human services. It is the hope of Dr. Gross that every recipient of this scholarship will recognize the change(s) that need to occur within their community and be willing to lend their time, as well as their talents to the cause.

Individuals who identify as Black (this is inclusive of students who identify as being a part of the Caribbean or African diaspora) Latino/a are representative of the term ‘underrepresented’ for the purposes of this scholarship. Should there not be any applicants from underrepresented groups, the scholarship will then defer to the other listed criteria, thereafter, returning to preference being given to underrepresented populations.

Change Agent Scholarship recipients have the option of being mentored by Dr. Gross.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)
• A grade point average of 2.5 with at least 3 letters of recommendation from school staff (one of which may be from a community member that they have worked with or for).
• Or a grade point average of 3.0 with at least 2 letters of recommendation from school staff (one of which may be from a community member that they have worked with or for).
• Attach a personal statement about your future educational and/or career goals. Within your essay, articulate how you plan to utilize your anticipated college degree to positively contribute to the community, whether in Rochester or elsewhere.
• Proof of acceptance into a post-secondary institution.

Award:  $2000
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Any major at SOTA, field of study in college must be in healthcare or STEM-related:  SOTA student demonstrating excellence in math and/or science. Minimum GPA=2.5; Please see preferences in scholarship description.

Scholarship Description:  CooperVision is a medical device company that produces vision care solutions globally.  The company knows the importance of diversity in its workforce and wants to encourage graduating high school seniors from under-represented groups to consider healthcare and other STEM-related career fields as they enter college.  To further that mission, the company is sponsoring a scholarship for students at Rochester City School District’s School of the Arts.  Preference will be given to students pursuing a healthcare related major and belonging to the African Diaspora.  

Scholarship award winners and CooperVision will stay in contact over the student’s 4-year college journey in subsequent years to keep CooperVision informed about their academic progress. This could be through a mentorship with an individual from Cooper’s Professional Affairs organization, an internship opportunity at CooperVision or some other mechanism.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)
• Attach a personal statement regarding their interest in the healthcare or STEM fields and how their experiences at SOTA influenced their decision to pursue at the college level
• Proof of acceptance into a post-secondary institution

Award:  $500
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:  Outstanding Creative Writing student, regardless of what they pursue in college.  Minimum GPA=2.5

Scholarship Description:  Established in 2015 by an anonymous donor, the SOTA Creative Writing Scholarship is awarded each year to an outstanding Creative Writing student, regardless of what they pursue in college.  Preference will be given to students who intend to pursue a field related to writing, including English, writing, journalism, filmmaking, comparative literature, or a related field.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)
• Attach a personal statement about your future educational and/or career goals and how your SOTA Creative Writing experience will assist you in pursuing such goals.

Award:  $1000
Number of Awards Granted:  1

Eligibility:

• Demonstrated academic promise
• Demonstrated intention to pursue music performance or music education as a career
• Proof of acceptance into a post-secondary institution.
• Applicants with financial need are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Description:  John Gabriele created the piano program at School of the Arts and was a beloved piano, vocal music, and music theory teacher for over 30 years. Funded largely by Mr. Gabriele’s students and their families, The John Gabriele Music Matters Scholarship honors Mr. Gabriele’s work, the thousands of students whose lives he touched, and the spirit of bringing music and creativity to whatever life has to offer. The Music Matters scholarship is primarily intended to help students who are serious about music performance or music education fulfill that ambition.

Required Documentation:

• General Application (only fill out one time for all scholarships)
• A personal statement about your future educational and/or career goals. Within the essay, the student must articulate how they plan to incorporate the musicianship that they learned at SOTA into their academic life and/or career.